I T I N E R A R Y | S H O R T H O P S
Featured Artist: Rahman Anderson
Walking into Studio 45 Glass on Lopez Island is like falling down the rabbit hole with Alice.
It’s a world of color, where possibilities are only the beginning and art feels like it
is created from thin air. By Samantha Howard
AFTER TRAVELING THE WORLD
WORKING and studying glass art in
Italy, New York and Germany, owner
and master glassblower Rahman Anderson
returned home to Lopez Island,
where he grew up. He wanted to put
down roots and settle on his family land
where he has now built his own home
and grows a garden.
Rahman opened Studio 45 Glass in
the heart of Lopez during the summer of
2017. His vision was to continue the lineage
of classic Italian glassblowing that
he spent the past 25 years learning and
practicing. From early years at Pilchuck
Glass School in Seattle, Rahman found
himself creating lifelong friendships and
partnerships, having doors of opportunity
opened along the way. He has
worked on teams for Bill Morris and Dale
Chihuly. Currently, he is creating his own
line of work and is on Charles Lowrie’s
travel team as the lead assistant.
I asked Rahman what his favorite position
on the team is. “I have spent the
past 25 years being the first assistant on
a team, helping create masterpieces, so
that is the position I am most comfortable
in. Having my own studio has
allowed me to be the lead, which is a
challenge that I have enjoyed,” he said.
Furnace glassblowing is like a dance.
Each person on the team has to make
the exact right step at the exact right
time and know the leader’s next move
even before the leader knows they’re
doing it. “A glass team can be so in tune
with each other that words aren’t even
necessary,” says Rahman. “Trust is key.
Charles and I make insane pieces and
the only way we can make them is because
we know we can trust each other.”
Rahman has opened his doors to
visiting artists and created a hub for the
arts on Lopez. When opening Studio
45, he looked to the many studios he
had worked in. Realizing he could meld
together the aspects he liked and avoid
the mistakes he’d seen, allowed him to
create a world-class studio that would
attract renowned artists.
He has also opened the doors to the
community, creating custom work for
residents and inviting schools to watch
demonstrations. Rahman has local
apprentices who are stepping into his
position, which allows him to lead the
team. “Learning from my teachers was
one of the greatest gifts of glassblowing.
So creating a space where I can share
what I have learned, is a way that I can
pay it forward and keep the knowledge
alive,” Rahman explained.
I had the opportunity to hang at
Studio 45 while visiting Lopez with my
partner, Charles Lowrie. He was the visiting
artist in the month of September
2019. Lopez Island is one of my most
favorite places to be on this beautiful
earth. I hope to see the arts continuing
to enrich our lives for years to come
and I cannot wait to step back into the
studio’s rainbow of color.
Studio 45 Glass
45 Eades Lane
Lopez Island
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